Cornwall traders say £31.50 parking charge could bankrupt Truro

Shop owners in Truro have accused Cornwall Council of “trying to bankrupt” the town following changes to rates at a car park which means anyone who parks for more than three hours is being hit with a £31.50 payment. The Old Bridge Street car park, near Truro Cathedral, has always been short-term, but previously there was no extra charge if you parked for more than three hours – although you could be stung with a £25 fine.

The council changed the charge on April 1, meaning anyone parking in what is known locally as ‘shoppers’ parking’ will have to pay £31.50 if they stay for more than three hours between 9am and 6pm . The council took the step to deter a “significant number” of drivers “clogging up” the car park. However, nearby traders and people who regularly use the car park hate the new policy.

Spencer Morris runs Gallery no. 2 of St Mary’s Mews. He said: “It is Cornwall Council at its best. They did this for the sake of a few persistent parkers and I admit I am one of them. A number of us who have businesses near the car park have been asking the council for parking permits there for the past five years.

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“We have to park, unload and deliver everything from paintings and tables to sideboards and chairs. It’s very hard to do that here without using that parking lot, and yet they refused. They would prefer to park in a private NCP car park now. instead of using a council one’.

He added: “I know it’s now affecting trade there – the car park is almost empty at the moment. It would never have been like this before we changed the rate. Customers have told us they look at the price and decide not to park there. Now a lady had six minutes past three hours and no money to pay – she pressed the intercom and was told to call a friend for money.

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“It’s scaring people – it feels like the council is trying to bankrupt this town. Soon Truro will just be barbershops and coffee shops. All the independent businesses will fold. It was a destination town but it’s not.”

Paul Gilbert, who runs one of Truro’s cafes, Kaku Chi, which is also in the mew, said he had been guilty of parking there all day and was often happy to pay the £25 fine for to exceed the three-hour limit, simply because it facilitated commerce without the need to park further from the business.

Paul says the future of his business is on the line after a bad winter. He is dependent on a busy summer and feels the parking situation – and the increased cost of parking in other council car parks in the city – “goes against helping local businesses”.

“It’s obviously putting people off parking there now because there are more than 20 empty parking spaces at the moment. It would be a struggle to get in at this time last year.”

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Also in the mews is Brocante Revival, run by Margaret Georgiou. She pulls no punches when she says: “It’s awful. The council don’t care about Truro – they don’t give a damn.” She also asked for a parking permit. “There are three or four of us who were quite willing to pay, but they didn’t allow us. If the council needs money, let’s pay for the permits.

“It’s cheaper to park in Portobello Road and Spitalfields car parks in London than it is here. A lady parked for a charity event in the cathedral and went over three hours without realising. She went completely ballistic.”

The woman who went “ballistic” contacted us after writing to the council to complain about the £31.50 charge. Wishing to remain anonymous, she told us: “I supported five businesses and a local charity, only to be met with this ridiculous allegation. Daylight robbery – I’m angry. It is obviously a money-making ploy by the council.

“Can you tell me what the council is doing to encourage Cornish people to come to the town and spend money in local businesses? Because I see a lot of empty shop windows in the county”.

Truro Business Improvement District (BID) retail organization manager Alun Jones said he was aware of the concerns of some local businesses. “We fully understand any concerns that might deter our customers from using the car park,” he said, adding that the council’s concern was that city workers were using the Old Bridge Street site all day and thus limiting visitor spaces.

“This has recently been discussed with Cornwall Council where they have been asked to tone down the number of red warning signs now displayed so that the message, hopefully that has been received, does not go overboard. As always, we urge Cornwall Council to consider the parking pricing structure. , it must be reasonable and proportionate.”

A Cornwall Council spokesman said: “The town center car park on Old Bridge Street in Truro remains a short-term car park and its three-hour parking limit has not changed. I found that a significant number of drivers were all parking here. day and essentially clogging up parking when its purpose is to encourage a turnover of spaces and in turn increase traffic downtown. was introduced.

“The new rate will only apply to drivers who park for more than three hours between 9am and 6pm. From 6pm to midnight, drivers can stay for an unlimited period and are only charged the evening rate of £2.10. free parking from midnight to 9:00.

“We have placed additional signs in the car park to remind drivers of the three hour limit and the new charge for parking more than three hours between 9am and 6pm.”

Long-term car parks are also available in Truro, including Garras Wharf, Moorfield, Edward Street and Moresk, where Cornwall residents can park for less in a specified car park by purchasing a Resident Season Pass.

Recent changes to JustPark ‘multi-use’ sessions also reduce costs for people who regularly park in car parks. In response to feedback from residents, drivers can now use their sessions in most of the Council’s long-term car parks, rather than just one specified car park.